Author's Note: I got a writer's block which is why it took a while to update. Also, I will be on vacation for about two weeks and should have more free time to dedicate to writing this story. I have a better idea of where I want this story to go so updates should happen frequently from here on out. Enjoy this latest chapter!

Five years ago:

Jackie had not been to Chicago since the infamous incident that happened between her and Steven that inevitably led him to run off to Vegas and marry a stripper. Now, returning to the same city as a newly single woman, she had a range of emotions that she could not place. Anger was of course the dominant one. How else would she feel after finding her husband and best friend sleeping together?

She also felt a slight sense of resentment. Here she was back in the city where she had initially ran to chase her dreams (which she eventually gave up to try to reconcile a relationship with someone who turned out to not be worth it.) Now, here she was again, but this time she was putting herself and her dreams first and no one was going to stand in the way of that.

Most of all, she felt an unexplainable sense of newness that could only be explained as this being the first time in her adult like in which she is truly by herself and able to figure out what she truly wants and what is good for her. She no longer has to think about what is best for her husband or her marriage. It's all about her and she likes that feeling.

She looks down at her watch and notices she has thirty minutes to get to her location. She grabs her purse from the table and takes one look around the hotel room before heading out.

"Would you be able to secure me a cab?" she asks the concierge in the lobby.

"Sure Miss. Where to?"

"Valois" she responds and he nods in response. She watches as the older man slowly lifts the receiver to his ear and calls for a taxi. She smiles and immediately thinks about Red Forman. It's been about a year since she left Point Place and even though she calls and speaks to the Formans frequently, she can't help but miss them.

"Your car will be outside in two minutes" the concierge responds.

"Thank you very much" she says and walks outside of the lobby to wait. As she waits, she admires the quick bustle of the city people going about their day. She always wondered where people were going in such a hurry. Even after leaving her small hometown, she has not yet picked up the speediness of their walk. Perhaps it's something that is acquired over time.

A small, yellow taxi pulls up and she quickly hops in. Twenty-five minutes.

"Valois?" the driver asks confirming their destination.

"Yes, thank you."

"Mhm" is his response and for the next fifteen minutes, they ride in silence. She takes the opportunity to take in the skyline and appreciate how beautiful concrete can look when it's filled with live. Everyone seems to have a purpose and fit into some puzzle they were not aware of. She can't help but be excited to fit into such a puzzle one day instead of seeing it through a small towner's perspective.

A short time later she arrives to her destination and smiles when she thanks the taxi driver and he just nods. Inside, the restaurant is a bit slower pace than its outer counterpart and she scans the room, taking in all the intimate conversations and the amazing aroma of food. It doesn't take long to spot her lunch dates and once they spot her also, she waves and makes her way over to them.

It's been a little over a year since she last saw Eric Forman. Last time she did, they had both been married and happy, at least to the outside world. They, however, were a little more aware of what was going on behind the facade their respective spouses had put up. Now, here they were, sitting across each other, he with his new partner and she happy with her new career.

"It's so nice to see you" Jackie says as she joins the couple.

They quickly get through formalities, introductions, catching up and it all feels natural. Neither brings up the hurtful histories involving their exes or what the future of those relationships look like. They focus on everything that is going on with them at the moment.

"I did go on a date, he seems like a nice enough guy and we're supposed to meet up again for drinks soon" Jackie shares. She loves that Eric doesn't judge her for dating while still technically married. In fact, he encourages her to seek out a new happiness and even asks questions about this potential new fling. His girlfriend Brittany also seems interested. No doubt she is aware of all that has happened but also does not bring it up. Her light, airy voice is soothing and Jackie can't help but to take an instant liking to her.

"Have you gone back?" Eric asks Jackie after they've caught up with each other's lives?"

Jackie shifts a bit in her seat and shakes her head from side to side. The thought of going back to Point Place had not occurred to her in some time. There was nothing to go back to anymore. "Have you?" she asks him.

Eric nods and takes a quick sip of his drink. Jackie looks over at Brittany next to him and seems her smile falter a bit.

"We decided to drive in for a day so Brittany could meet mom" he responds.

"Oh you met Mrs. Forman? She's great isn't she?" Jackie asks Brittany.

"She is lovely. Eric's wife, however, not so much" Brittany replies and Jackie can now understand the shift in mood.

"You met Donna?"

"I wouldn't say met per se, more like I sat there as she berated me for dating a married man" Brittany answers.

Jackie can't help but laugh at the sheer hypocrisy of her former friend. "Unbelievable" Jackie says and Eric lifts his glass to her.

"Let's not dwell too much about it" he says and the two ladies nod in a silent agreement.

"So, tell us more about this new guy" Brittany says and immediately gets Jackie gushing. Eric sits back, a smile across his face, and watches the bubbly Jackie he once knew reappear once again.

He was certain that, despite what they've been through, they were going to be alright.